For your next 4x4 adventure, experience the real Pyrénées.... drive yourself through one of the last great wilderness regions in Europe in your own 4x4 on a Landtreks Adventure Tour. World class trail driving on your doorstep!
The Pyrénées, is a truly magnificent region of spectacular mountains, high alpine meadows, pristine rivers and dense forests; spanning from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the east creating a natural mountain border between France and Spain. For anyone who has a passion for 4x4 adventure travel it’s a veritable paradise its scenery, cultures, and wildlife accessible via breathtaking trails. It has been described by many as one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas. Many of the animals that were once numerous across Europe are still to be found here; from wild boar, wolves, lynx, chamois, chevre, mouflon, marmots to an increasing population of Pyrenean brown bear. There are also many birds of prey such as eagles, buzzards, kites, griffin vultures and rare Lammergeyer.
Landtreks tours are for anyone with a passion for 4x4 travel and adventure. With basic 4x4 driving skills and commonsense the tours are suitable and enjoyable for all types of 4x4's and levels of driving experience. Although under body protection is always a good idea and we recomend it, especially for our Coast 2 Coast and Pyrenean Explorer Expeditions, many vehicles come along without it. The trails can be varied and although you will encounter many different types of terrain are in the main solid based. Each day we will drive along mile after mile of un-surfaced ancient and little known trails through the spectacular mountains and forests of the Pyrénées, some maze like trails can take all day to drive and are easy to get lost on, down to little trail gems that even locals rarely know about.... Without doubt the trails we choose for our tours are not only the best trails in the Pyrénées but the best we have seen in Europe!
As we live here in the Pyrénées full time we know the trails well and drive them regularly... We specialise in small group tours and even single vehicle "personal tours" and have a large and ever expanding range of remarkable trails to drive in France, Spain and Andorra. We always advise you to book early, but if you are here on holiday and would like to do some trail driving then give us a call. We have numerous tours to offer.... from our week long "Pyrenean Explorer Tag Along Tour" (2 routes available) to our autumn 12 day " Coast 2 CoastTag Along Tour", or iftime is not on your side you can choose from a 1 to 4 day Tag Along Tour in France, exploring the picturesque region and trails of the Midi and Eastern Pyrénées.
These are the Tours and dates for 2008...
TOUR PLACES... 2 places are now available on our Pyrenean Explorer Tours this year, one in September and one in October... please contact us if you would like to join us. The tours are a great way to see and experience the real Pyrénées... they are 7 day 4x4 expeditions exploring right into the heart of the Pyrénées.
7 Day "Pyrenean Explorer" Tag Along Tour
If you want adventure, driving remote trails and old smuggler's routes all amongst magnificent scenery then...THIS IS THE TOUR FOR YOU !
The "Pyrenean Explorer" Tag Along Tour is a great way to see and experience the real Pyrénées... it's a 7 day 4x4 expedition exploring right into the heart of the French, Andorran and Spanish Pyrénées along little known ancient smuggler's routes, mountain trails and passes.
The trails we have chosen for this tour are not only the best trails in the Pyrénées but the best we have seen in Europe! They wind their way through dramatic and diverse landscapes and it's still pretty wild in places! Each day has a character all of its own, both in terrain and views... drive to 8,000ft summits, through wild forests, hidden valleys and remote picturesque villages, cross mountain streams and rivers and drink from natural springs...
This tour is all about "Discovering the Pyrénées"; it's relaxed, enjoyable and as suitable for families as it is for the individual 4x4 enthusiast... what other unspoilt wild place is so close to the UK and still accessible by 4x4?
On this tour we stay at official campsites with the benefit of all the usual facilities; some have swimming pools and some offer activities such as rafting, canoeing, canyoning and horse riding, ideal on your 2 "rest" days and where possible they are close to where the trails finish, so we have minimal driving at the end of the day.
This is what a few of our previous customers said about our Pyrenean Explorer tours....
"had the best holiday ever, we haven't stopped talking about it since we got back the views were breath taking and the places we went were brilliant"
"THE WEEKS TREK WHICH ALL OF US AGREED, IT WAS MOST CERTAINLY AN UNBELIVEABLE EXPERIENCE, ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT"
"we both really enjoyed ourselves and have both commented on the work that you have both put into organising these trips"
"Thanks so much for last week. The trip was better than I expected and the scenery spectacular, I'll definitely be back whatever happens"
With encouraging comments like these and as there is so much to see and so many trails to explore in the Pyrénées, for 2008 we are offering 2 versions of our popular Pyrenean Explorer tour; our original "Pyrenean Explorer" tour and the new "Pyrenean Explorer East" tour.Both tours are 7 day long expeditions but we explore 2 different regions of the Pyrénées.
Our original "Pyrenean Explorer" tour starts in Ariège, France from where we wind our way across the Spanish border then criss cross in and out of Andorra and Spain finally finishing in Northern Spain. The tour includes 2 rest days when you can either just relax around camp, or go sightseeing by yourselves, one rest day is in the Principality of Andorra where you can go duty free shopping should you wish and the other is in Spain where there are numerous outdoor activities you can do from the campsite including white water rafting, canoeing, canyoning, horse riding etc or you can simply unwind in town at one of the many pavement cafe bars and restaurants or visit the local craft shops.
The new "Pyrenean Explorer East" tour ....this tour starts right in the heart of the Pyrénées range. The winding trails take us into Northern Spain along mountain trails and through forests of oak, passing remote villages and accompanied along the way by Mediterranean perfumes and the singing of cicadas. The tour finishes in France, overlooking the welcoming warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This is as big an adventure for those coming for the first time as for those who are returning to explore further trails with us.
NEW for 2008 HOTEL/B&B BASED
PYRENEAN EXPLORER TAG ALONG TOUR
Did you want to do our Pyrenean Explorer Tour but didn't really fancy the camping part? Well now we offer a slightly modified version of the ever popular Pyrenean Explorer tour staying in the comfort of hotel /B&B accommodation.
Pyrenean Explorer - 7 Day Tag Along Tour in France, Spain & Andorra
- now with 2 totally different routes
the first person to book onto a tour chooses whether it's camping or hotel based and whether it is the Pyrenean Explorer Original (hotel or camping) or Pyrenean Explorer East (camping only).
We take a maximum of only 3 vehicles per tour.... some places still available contact us for details
26th May - 1st June (P/E Original Camping)
9th June - 15th June (P/E Original Camping)
23rd June - 29th June (P/E Original Hotel)
7th July - 13th July (P/E East Camping)
28th July - 3rd August (P/E Original Camping)
11th August - 17th August (P/E Original Camping)
1st September - 7th September (P/E East Camping)
6th October - 12th October (P/E Original Camping)
ADDITIONAL TOUR 20th October - 26th October (P/E East Camping)
If you would like to do a single vehicle "Personal" tour outside the above dates, please contact us for availability.
12 Day "COAST 2 COAST" TAG ALONG TOUR
This is a camping only 12 day Pyrenean Expedition traversing the fabulous Pyrénées. From the Atlantic Ocean in the west we travel along mountain trails through France, Andorra and Spain finishing at the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the east.
On this tour we stay at official campsites with the benefit of all the usual facilities, some with swimming pools. On rest days the places we stop at have numerous activites and places to visit. Where possible the campsites are close to where the trails finish, so we have minimal driving at the end of the day.
More details to follow.
We take a maximum of only 3 vehicles for this tour.... book early!
FULLY BOOKED FOR 2008, TAKING ENQUIRIES FOR 2009
1 & 2 Day Ariege & Aude Tag Along Tours
For our 1 and 2 day tours we have several easily negotiated routes available starting and finishing near to our base in the Lavelanet / Foix area of Ariège in the Midi-Pyrénées.
On these 1 and 2 day Tag Along Tours we take in the scenic forest and mountain trails in the Pyrenean regions of Ariège and Aude passing through picturesque and historical villages en route. The These Tag Along Tours are ideal if you are visiting the area on holiday and just fancy a day or two exploring in your own 4x4 on the trails. For these tours, ideally book before you arrive, or if you are already here telephone us for availability.
We run these tours from March to November and as for all our France only tours you tell us the dates that you would like to go. You can come along as a single vehicle or bring a group of up to 5 vehicles.
Outside these months, we may well be able to arrange a tour for you subject to availability, weather and trail conditions....Book early is always our advice.
3 Day Ariege & Aude Tag Along Tour
On this 3 day tour we travel along easily negotiated valley, forest and mountain trails in the Ariège and Aude regions of the Midi and Eastern Pyrénées. The trails we drive are diverse - from mountain routes climbing to over 6,00ft, to plunging forest and high plateaus trails en route passing by ancient Cathar Châteaux (with an option of stopping and climbing to the summits).
For this 3 day tour we suggest that you base yourselves locally in Foix, Lavelanet or Mirepoix, either at local campsites or there are a variety of 1 to 4 star hotels or b&b accommodation to choose from, which we can advise on.
We run these tours from March to November and as for all our France only tours you tell us the dates that you would like to go. You can come along as a single vehicle or bring a group of up to 5 vehicles.
Outside these months, we may well be able to arrange a tour for you subject to availability, weather and trail conditions....Book early is always our advice.
4 Day Ariege, Aude & Pyrénées Orientales Tag Along Tour
On this 4 day tour, our longest France only tour, we travel along easily negotiated valley, forest and mountain trails in the Ariège, Aude and Pyrénées Orientales regions of the Midi and Eastern Pyrénées. The trails we drive are diverse - from mountain routes climbing to over 6,00ft, to high plateaus, river gorges and dense forest trails, passing en route picturesque and historical villages and ancient Cathar Châteaux (with an option of stopping and climbing to the summits).
For this 4 day tour we suggest that initially you base yourselves locally in Foix, Lavelanet or Mirepoix, either at local campsites or there are a variety of 1 to 4 star hotels or b&b accommodation to choose from, which we can advise on. Then when moving on east for the for the final day we camp / stay overnight with you at Quillan in the Aude.
We run these tours from March to November and as for all our France only tours you tell us the dates that you would like to go. You can come along as a single vehicle or bring a group of up to 5 vehicles.
Outside these months, we may well be able to arrange a tour for you subject to availability, weather and trail conditions....Book early is always our advice.
If you would like a longer tour taking in France ,Andorra and Spain, please see our Pyrenean Explorer Tours
Contact us for yourFREE Landtreks "Tag Along Tours" CD & Sticker
Numbers of vehicles
We organise tours for groups of up to 5 vehicles (France) or even just 1 vehicle. The only restriction we have on vehicle numbers is on our Pyrenean Explorer Tag Along Tours and Coast 2 Coast Tag Along Tours, where because of Spanish regulations we can not take more than 3 vehicles plus our own per trip.
A Group Tour is... a tour for up to 3 vehicles (Pyrenean Explorer Tours) or 5 vehicles (France only Tours) plus our own vehicle. If you are a group of vehicles who prefer not to have anyone else to join your group this can be arranged by paying for the remaining places.
A Personal Tour is... a tour uniquely for 1 vehicle, plus our own vehicle. This has proved to be a popular choice with clients and we are the only company willing to do such a tour, made possible as we live here in the Pyrénées full time. This is a little more expensive than if you came as part of a group, but worth it if you like the personal touch.
Tag Along Costs - see Prices Page
We keep our prices low by just charging per vehicle per tour, with no limit on the number of passengers in the vehicle. This works out less expensive for families and groups.
We include rest days on our "Pyrenean Explorer" tours, as we have found from previous experience that everybody needs to have time off to relax or maybe explore a little themselves. We plan these days off so that you will be within reach of major towns or the coast or places of interest. We do not charge for rest days even though we incur camping / accommodation fees etc. ourselves.You are responsible for your own accommodation costs which are paid directly to the campsite, hotel etc. All camping is at official campsites and where possible they are close to where the trails finish, so we have minimal driving at the end of the day.
Getting to us is simplicity itself...
The most relaxing way is to drive to Portsmouth and take an inexpensive relaxing mini-cruise to Bilbao in Northern Spain. With plenty to do on board.... several shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, and even a casino and cinema - just sit back, relax and enjoy yourself. Once you have disembarked it's a few hours drive up the coast and into the Pyrénées.
Or take a cheap Dover to Calais ferry crossing and then it is a straight forward line down the country to us; the journey can be done in a good days drive, multimap www.multimap.com says it takes 9:55 hours... or why not break your journey in two and have an overnight stop?
How about a round trip?.... take the mini-cruise here and after your tour with us, have a leisurely drive back up north through the beautiful countryside of rural France.
A Landtreks Tag Along Tour could be part of your Pyrenean trip or the entire trip - it is up to you!
You just tell us where you want to go, for how long, then leave the rest to us....
Just bring along a sense of adventure!
Enquiries / Bookings - see Prices & Contact pages for full details
Keep checking our web site ...we update it regularly.
